(G) Resale value

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Sorry if I sound like a total idiot here, but this is my first time buying a new car - going for a 1.2 lounge dualogic. Everytime I go over to the garage to have a look (taking my time making all the decisions) they keep on going on at me about resale value.

For example I saw a car that was about to be collected in Rock n Roll blue today, and really surprised myself by liking it as always thought the dark colours werent so great - it looked really smart but was told that had to be careful as the resale value wouldnt be so strong.

This is in a long list of things have been told to consider, so its making it hard to work out what I want, and what the sensible option to have is.

Obviously am not planning on changing the car anytime soon but keen to hold its value as much as possible. Can anyone tell me what it really is I need to look out for and think about. Ie will the blue really make a difference, as at the moment feel any spec I do the dealer may not like, I get told its bad for resale!

If the features you choose are not as desirable to others, this will affect resale value i.e. if you wanted bright pink exterior, with matching pink wheels - then whilst this be perfect for you - only a small percentage of other people will want the same combination.

In general, this only applies for undesirable colours. In your case, it will not make a difference, as the colour you have chosen is not really offensive, i.e. people who want a 500 later on, and are not too bothered about colour will be happy with blue (most of the time)

Also, spec on a car is very important - generally you do not recover outlay for optional extra's - i.e. if you have a Pop, you will get Pop money - I don't fully buy into this - as when you come to sell, you will probably use a site like auto trader, and this will match to someone who say .. wants a 500, in blue, with alloys - in this case, both an upgraded pop, and higher spec will be displayed

Also, generally, if you plan to keep the car for a longer period - resale value is less important

In short, don't go mad with options unless you really want them .. but don't be pressurised into paying for a higher spec if you do not want the extra kit.

Whatever colour you pick remember it's a Fiat 500, it should stay popular for years to come. Plus don't force yourself to choose a colour you won't like 100% on the ground that you'd save £500 in five years time.
You will pay at least over 10 grand for your brand new car, you might as well choose one that has all your specifications, not the ones your potential buyer (when you decide to sell) would have. To choose exactly your options is one of the best thing about a new car compared to a second hand, right?

Whatever colour you pick remember it's a Fiat 500, it should stay popular for years to come. Plus don't force yourself to choose a colour you won't like 100% on the ground that you'd save £500 in five years time.
You will pay at least over 10 grand for your brand new car, you might as well choose one that has all your specifications, not the ones your potential buyer (when you decide to sell) would have. To choose exactly your options is one of the best thing about a new car compared to a second hand, right?

Agreed

Bare in mind that some options can be added later too, while others cannot. Air con is seen as a must by many people nowadays, and cannot be retro-fitted (economicaly at least), while all the stickery bits, spoilers and wheels can be added later

only wierd colours like green and maybe yellow adversely affect resale value, you will be fine with any of the blue colours

I remember going into Fiat Peterborough and asking what used 500's they had as part of their approved program - he checked, and then with a frown said "I'm sorry, we only have Yellow ones at the moment" - I said, I want a yellow one. He then shot me a "how bizarre" look ...

But you are right, so far the following colours I think will not do as well

I remember going into Fiat Peterborough and asking what used 500's they had as part of their approved program - he checked, and then with a frown said "I'm sorry, we only have Yellow ones at the moment" - I said, I want a yellow one. He then shot me a "how bizarre" look ...

But you are right, so far the following colours I think will not do as well

Tbh the salesperson has a point. Scrogg (also a Fiat salesperson) says that in the trade colours like this do affect resale value.

There are two identical 3 series BMW's parked outside the window here at work, both have the same wheels, body apendages etc etc but one is black and one is very similar to rock and roll blue. They're both dirty but if they're both clean you look at them and the black is certainly the colour to go for. It's a stronger colour than the dark blue and I know this sounds silly but it's BLACKER than the dark blue.

IMHO if I was sitting inside the car with a black steering wheel and an almost black looking dash it would feel strange. I think you should always go for something that matches, or which strongly contrasts and other than having ivory ambience in the car you're not going to get that.

My wifes car suffers because of a (IMHO) pretty dire choice of colour by the original owner back in 1994. It needs a respray and I'm trying to convince the wife to go for either white, a gunmetal grey or my favourite.... the green from the Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 cars

Anyhoo back to talking about 500's. IMHO go for a nice strong dark colour like black OR as you seem to have actually originally been intending to, go for a nice bright colour like BNW, NOB or Pasdoble red. If you really like the rock and roll blue and you're not going to sell it for a long time (at least 5 or so years) then go for it though, by that time people will be less fussed with the colour choice if they're buying it. Your salesperson is right though, if 3 cars otherwise identical except for colour are on the forecourt, 1 black, 1 BNW and one RRB I would put money on the other two selling first.

Black is very popular at the moment, but I would under no circumstances buy a black car, ever. Nor would I buy a red one. The Cha-Cha is loved by many, but not by me.

Apart from those colours, which are a no-no - for me only, the rest of the desirability recipe is down to spec. The Dualogic will always be popular with people who only want automatics, and will sell well, whatever the colour.

Now, you can find any number of people with a whole different set of taste parameters, but the white, the red, the black, the Cha-Cha and any blue will always find a buyer somewhere.

On a just polished car, with the appropriate design, at night, under artificial lighting, it can look wonderful.

In the world of mud, muck, scratches, bright sunlight, dull overcast gloom, and all the rest, i just think black looks kinda invisible, and insignificant. It doesn't refract light too well, and so it can absorb design details - except when spotless under the right lighting of course.

On a just polished car, with the appropriate design, at night, under artificial lighting, it can look wonderful.

In the world of mud, muck, scratches, bright sunlight, dull overcast gloom, and all the rest, i just think black looks kinda invisible, and insignificant. It doesn't refract light too well, and so it can absorb design details - except when spotless under the right lighting of course.

But I am in a small minority, so don't worry

Black is good on some cars because it absorbs design details. Tbh black is OK but needs some brightening up like Rob has done with his with a red stripe.

Yeah I think you're right on the mark with it being bad for resale. It's a car that only someone who's interested in the whole retro angle could want. Very few people who want a sporty car will want it in that colour whereas BNW although the most common car will appeal to someone who wants a retro car, a sporty looking car or just something to drive around in.